Exploring the intersection of indigenous visual art and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Diwali 2013

From Reuters: Hindu women arrange oil lamps and flowers around a "Rangoli",a traditional pattern made from coloured powders, during the celebrations aheadof the Hindu festival of Diwali in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad [on]November 1, 2013. Diwali, the annual festival of lights will be celebrated acrossthe country on November 3.

Sunday marked the beginning of the 5-day Northern Indian Hindu festival of Diwali, or the Festival of Lights (in South India it is called Deepavali). Like Dashain in Nepal and Navratri in India, Diwali celebrates to victory of the Good over the Evil and Light over Darkness. On the first day of Diwali, part of the festivities include drawing designs called rangolis on the ground in front of the entrance to one's home, as a form of welcome to the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, Lakshmi. Here is my own version of a Christocentric Rangoli that I've posted about previously:

[A rangoli is] meant to be sacred welcoming [area] for the Hindu deities" (Wikipedia). This one shows the pierced feet of Jesus in the middle, welcoming Him into one's home. John 1:1-5 tells us,

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

This week may Christ's light shine in our hearts and be made manifest in our lives through His Holy Spirit! May His Gospel speak to others through us as we welcome Him each day. Pray for Hindus throughout the world that Christ would speak to their hearts during this festival and reveal Himself to them as the true Light of the World who has come to save us.